HB 481
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Bill 481 (Delegate Barve)
Ways and Means
Election Law - Deadline for Selection of Lieutenant Governor
This constitutional amendment modifies the time when a candidate who seeks a nomination
for Governor designates a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, requiring the designation to
be made within 21 days after the primary election rather than at the time of filing for the
office. The name of a candidate for Governor is listed on the primary election ballot without
a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: If the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters, general fund
expenditures increase by approximately $7,000 over the course of FY 2023 and 2024.
Revenues are not materially affected.
Local Effect: If the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters, local government
expenditures increase by approximately $7,000 over the course of FY 2023 and 2024.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Bill Summary: The constitutional amendment repeals the requirement that a candidate
who seeks a nomination for Governor in a primary election designate a candidate for
Lieutenant Governor at the time of filing a certificate of candidacy, instead requiring such
a candidate to designate a candidate for Lieutenant Governor within 21 days after the
primary election. A candidate who seeks a nomination for Governor under any method
provided by law other than a primary election must designate a candidate for
Lieutenant Governor at the time of filing a declaration of intent to seek nomination, and
the candidate for Governor and the designated candidate for Lieutenant Governor must be
considered for nomination jointly.
In a primary election (1) the name of the candidate for Governor is listed on the primary
election ballot without a candidate for Lieutenant Governor and (2) the candidate for
Lieutenant Governor must file a certificate of candidacy at the time the candidate for
Lieutenant Governor is designated by the candidate for Governor.
Current Law: Each candidate who seeks a nomination for Governor, under any method
provided by law for the nomination, including primary elections, must at the time of filing
for the office designate a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. The names of the candidate
for Governor and Lieutenant Governor are listed on the primary election ballot, or
otherwise considered for nomination jointly with each other.
In any election, including a primary election, candidates for Governor and
Lieutenant Governor are listed jointly on the ballot and a vote cast for the candidate for
Governor is also cast for the candidate for Lieutenant Governor jointly listed on the ballot.
The election or nomination of the candidate for Governor also constitutes the election or
nomination of the candidate for Lieutenant Governor who was listed on the ballot or was
being considered jointly with the candidate for Governor.
State Expenditures: If the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters,
general fund expenditures increase by approximately $7,000 over the course of fiscal 2023
and 2024, reflecting the State’s share of costs to modify the State Board of Elections’
(SBE) election management system in order to allow for candidates for nomination for
Governor in primary elections to run and appear on the ballot without a
Lieutenant Governor. SBE and the local boards of elections share the costs of the election
management system.
Local Expenditures: If the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters,
local government expenditures increase by approximately $7,000 over the course of
fiscal 2023 and 2024, reflecting the local governments’ share of costs to modify SBE’s
election management system.
HB 481/ Page 2
 Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HB 268 of 2020 passed the House and was referred to the Senate
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, but no further action was taken.
SB 396 of 2020 received a hearing in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental
Affairs Committee, but no further action was taken. HB 535 of 2019 received a hearing in
the House Ways and Means Committee, but no further action was taken. Its cross file,
SB 373, received a hearing in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): State Board of Elections; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 29, 2021
rh/hlb
Analysis by: Scott D. Kennedy Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 481/ Page 3